I think the key lies in the definition of the word "profitable". A relationship between mycorrhizael fungi and trees is mutually profitable. I don't think the activities of, say, Rupert Murdoch should be described using the same term. Therefore, "profitable" for that which brings good to one or multiple parties, and "exploitative" for screwing over the other guy. If I make ropes, nets and baskets and the guy next door has a permaculture farm and we trade, it would be mutually profitable.

Well, you could try planting a mesquite hedge to keep out deer. Mesquite should do well in your area, and it has lots of thorns, is nitrogen fixing, and produces edible pods. The trick would be protecting it until it got started.... maybe just some fencing around each tree till it got big enough to survive on its own.

Hahaha, like seeing myself at that age. I was about eleven and a half when I first began to "see through the matrix" and learn about the world's problems. Four years later, I am just biding my time and learning skills (and experimenting in my backyard garden) until I can get land of my own.

The better the climate is, the less to do. Dry areas will need a bit of work (such as the establishment of drought tolerant legumes) before you can kick back and relax. Once the system is up and running, It should continue with very little management (this is the principle behind food forests in general).